Claribel Johnson, 84, formerly of Mabel, died June 23, 2001 at St. Francis Hospital in LaCrosse, Wis.

Claribel Phillips was born Jan. 15, 1917, in Greeley, Colo. to Addison and Myrtle (Randall) Phillips. In 1937, she earned a teaching degree from Kearney State Teachers College in Kearney, Neb. In 1939, she moved to Mabel, where she taught school for a few years. On June 5, 1941, she married Donald W. Johnson in Minneapolis. The couple lived in Mabel, where Mr. Johnson was a livestock buyer and Mrs. Johnson was a homemaker. From 1965 to 1975, she again taught English and choir for a short time at the North Winneshiek School in Iowa, and then at the Mabel-Canton High School. Mr. Johnson died in June 1989. Mrs. Johnson directed choir at the Mabel United Methodist Church for many years and was a member of the library club and the Newburg United Methodist Church in Newburg. She did volunteer work at Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel.

Survivors include three sons, Michael, of Hastings, Neb., Paul (Sueanna) of LaCrescent, and Phillip, of Minneapolis; one daughter, Eleanor (Michael) Doyle, of Muncie, Ind.; four grandchildren; one brother, Randall Phillips, of Coos Bay, Ore.; and one sister, Eleanor Phillips Nelson of Fresno, Calif. She was preceded in death by one sister.

A memorial service was held June 26, 2001 at the Newburg United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Laechel officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel was in charge of arrangements.

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